Transcripts

Bam on China, DICT, Blue Ribbon Report (Radio Show Status Update)

On Obama’s Statement re China issue

“Kung ang usapan natin ay historical, lahat na lang ng baho ilalabas ng iba’t ibang bansa. Let’s keep the discussion doon sa currently na nangyayari.

 

Siguro ang kapansin-pansin lang at alam naman nating lahat, ni-raise na ho ito ng ating bansa sa mga international bodies na tuluy-tuloy iyong pagtambak sa ating mga isla at iyong pagtayo ng facilities na nakakapangamba talaga.

 

In fact, kung titingnan ninyo, mas maiintindihan natin ang pangamba kapag nakita natin ang mapa. Kasi mga kaibigan, kung nakita ninyo ang mapa kung saan ang facilities na ito, napakalapit po sa ating bansa at napakalayo sa China.

 

Isang lugar, iyong sa Zambales, iyong Baja de Masinloc, na kung tutuusin po, puwede kang mag-boat mula sa dalampasigan ng Zambales papunta sa lugar na iyon, less than eight hours. Ganoon po kalapit.

 

At least, may statement na ang Presidente ng Estados Unidos. Kasi ang batikos sa kanila, akala ko ba, friends tayo, pero bakit parang tahimik ang US. Ito nagsalita na sila.”

 

On Senate Passage of Department of Information Communication Technology (DICT) Act

“Bagong departamento po ito. Matagal na po itong nasa legislative mill pero naipasa na po namin finally.

 

Napakahalaga po niyan dahil nababalita po, tayo ang isa sa pinakamabagal at pinakamahal na Internet sa ating rehiyon.

 

Maganda po itong DICT. Puwede niyang tingnan kung paano gagawing mas efficient ang ating government agencies para iyong mga computer systems nag-uusap-usap. Kasi ho ngayon, iyong isang ahensiya, may sariling sistema, iyong isang ahensiya, ibang sistema.

 

Kung napapansin po ninyo, kung mag-a-apply po tayo, apply tayo ng apply. Every agency, parang first time lagi dahil walang sharing ng information.

 

Ang DICT, kung nakonek-konek niya ang information systems ng ating ahensiya, mas magiging efficient, puwede pong imbestigahan o tingnan kung paano magiging mabilis at mura ang ating Internet.

 

Iyong isang malaking-malaking proyekto po na naipasa namin last year, iyong magkaroon ng libreng wi-fi sa public schools, sa mga city hall, sa iba’t ibang public areas na napakahalaga po niyan sa kaunlaran ng ating bansa.”

 

On Blue Ribbon Report on Binay

“Alam po ninyo, sampu kaming pumirma diyan mula sa Blue Ribbon Committee. Noong nakita namin ang lumabas na ebidensiya, napagpasiyahan po natin na pumirma upang ang Ombudsman po natin o appropriate government agency, na ituloy ang imbestigasyon.

 

Kaklaruhin ko lang po. Ang Blue Ribbon kasi hindi po iyan kasama sa justice system. It’s part of the legislative functions in aid of legislation. Kumbaga  po, iyong lahat ng nilalabas ng Blue Ribbon, recommendatory po iyan sa mga ahensiya natin.

 

Ang rekomendasyon po ng mga pumirma ay kailangang imbestigahan pa dahil may ebidensiya na mayroon talagang overprice iyong tinatawag na Makati City Hall Parking Building II.

 

Within the first few hearings, lumabas na iyong presyong nilabas at kung magkano talaga iyan ay may pagkakalayo talaga.

 

For me, it’s enough to tell the government agency na paki-imbestigahan ito at kayo na ang maghusga kung may ipa-file na charges o wala.

 

Ang hindi lang siguro maganda, sinasabi na ang mga pumirma riyan, ratings ang hinahabol o kaalyado kasi. In my case po, simple lang, kung may katiwalian, kailangan talagang imbestigahan, hindi puwedeng wala na lang.

 

Kasi iyong mga problema nating ganyan ay wala na lang, hindi tayo uunlad. Ako naman, hindi ko sinasabing tapos na ang boksing.

 

Ang sinasabi po ng Blue Ribbon report, Ombudsman, paki-imbestigahan kung may mahanap kayong ebidensiya, mag-file kayo ng nararapat na mga paratang.”

 

Bam on CJ Servillon, FOI, BBL Funding

On death of JRU player CJ Servillon

We send our condolences sa kanyang pamilya.

Pero ang laki ng diskusyon na lumabas. Sabi ng mga tao, kapag may mga tournament, handa ba tayo sa mga ganyang klase ng aksidente o ganyang klase ng insidente?

Dapat siguro, ang mga nag-to-tournament handang-handa, mga ambulansiya, first aid, lahat ng kailangang maitulong sa ating players, sana mayroon sila.

Actually, kahit iyong audience. Kahit sino na magkaroon ng kapansanan, kailangang handa na matulungan nila.

Si Senator Angara na head ng Committee on Sports sa Senado ay magsasagawa ng isang imbestigasyon. Nasabi niya na babantayan nila ang mangyayari dito. Tutulungan natin si senator kapag panahon na ng imbestigasyon.

We just want to make sure sa mga tournament, actually kahit sa mga liga. Noong bata kasi ako, sumasama ako sa mga liga-liga.

Dapat talaga ang mga ganyang klaseng tournament, handa talaga sa kahit anong masamang insidente na mangyayari, sa athletes, sa audience, sa coach o sa referee.

On the Filing of House FOI Committee Report

Iyong FOI sa Senado matagal nang naipasa. Pasado na po iyan sa amin last year pa. Wala pong kumontra sa amin sa Senado.

Sa Kongreso, hinihintay natin ang FOI version nila. Kapag sinabi pong napasa na iyong committee report, mahalagang-mahalaga po iyan, kasi ibig pong sabihin niya, iyong pinaka-basic, iyong committee level, nakalampas na po ito.

Ang susunod niyan sa plenary na.  At kung makapasa po iyan sa plenaryo, on its way na po iyan sa pagiging isang batas.

Alam ko po na isa iyan sa mga goals ni Speaker Belmonte na maipasa ang FOI bill before the end of P-Noy’s term, kung hindi po ako nagkakamali.

Magandang pangitain po iyan sa FOI bill. Palagay ko po, ilang buwan lang, maipasa na ang bill.

On Passage of BBL’s P37B Funding

Sa Senado, hindi pa po natin ito nailalabas sa committee. Kaya medyo mahaba-haba pa po ang proseso sa Senado.

Pero ito pong P37 billion na iyan, siyempre maraming magkukuwestiyon kung saan pupunta iyan.

Again ang sabi ko naman palagi, ang perang iyan, hindi naman iyan mapupunta sa armas.

Pupunta iyan sa imprastruktuka, pupunta iyan sa mga eskuwelahan, pupunta iyan sa support services. Iyon ho ang balak.

We just need to make sure na doon nga pupunta ang perang iyan.

Bam on the Liberal Party’s 2016 Process and Canada’s Trash (Excerpt on Status Update)

On LP split due to Grace Poe’s entry

Hindi naman. We’re part of a democracy. Demokrasya tayo. Siyempre po, may gusto tayo at ayaw. Gaya ng taumbayan, may mga gusto kay ganyan, may mga gusto kay ganoon. Siyempre, ganoon din po ang Liberal Party.

May proseso pong pinagdadaanan. Palagay ko naman kapag tapos na ang prosesong iyan ay muling magsasama-sama ang partidong kinalalagyan ko.

Nasabi ko na rin ito noon. Ang palagay ko, ang pagpili sa taong mamumuno, whether president man iyan, senador, congressman, mahalagang proseso. Importanteng proseso at kinakailangang iniisip talaga iyan at pagdaanan ang tamang proseso.

Tama rin lang na tingnan natin ang lahat ng puwede at lahat ng may gustong tumakbo para sa mga posisyong natin. Tanungin natin sila, ano ba ang plano nila para sa ating bansa, ano ba ang maibibigay nila sa ating bansa.

Siguro sa prosesong iyon, mapipili kung sino ba ang dapat suportahan. Ganyan naman ang proseso ng demokrasya, Hindi puwedeng instant-instant.

Kapag natapos na ang desisyong iyan, hindi na po tatanungin, nag-i-split ba, naghahati-hati ba. Dahil may panahon pa namang magkakasama-samang muli. That’s really part of the process.

Ang tanong ko diyan, iyon ba talaga dapat ang tanong. Hindi ba dapat ang tanong, ano ba ang plano ng taong ito para sa atin?

Kasi, personality based na lang. Ang lalabas diyan, pagandahan, papogian, pagandahan ng commercial na naman iyan. Dapat tanungin natin, ano ba talaga ang plano nila. Sino ba ang may kakayahan na dalhin tayo sa kinabukasan?

Five years from now, dapat ang Pilipinas yumayaman na, dapat ang mga kababayan natin di na kailangang mangibang bansa para makakuha ng magtrabaho, dapat iyong mahihirap mayroon nang pagkain, trabaho at may negosyo na.

Ang tanong diyan, sino ba ang tutulong sa atin na madala ang bansa doon? Palagay ko, iyon din ang tinatanong sa mga gustong tumakbo.

Kapag nasagot na ng partido, iyon po ang susuportahan natin. At may proseso pa.

On Canada’s trash

I think ang issue po dito, hindi po maayos ang proseso ang pagdala ng waste materials dito. Kung iayos ang prosesong iyan, kailangang ilagay iyan sa tamang lugar, kasama na ang ibalik.

The fact na ipatatanggal natin iyan, kailangang kung may papasok dito na waste material, dapat dumaan sa tamang proseso.

Kung mali ang proseso, dapat hindi natin tatanggapin. Kung mali ang proseso, dapat ibalik sa pinanggalingan.

Mahirap pag hazardous. Pag sa landfill iyan, maraming maaapektuhan gaya ng tubig.

Babantayan po natin iyan. Kapag mali ang proseso, mali ang proseso.

Bam on Grace Poe and RESCYouth Act (Interview after Hearing)

On Grace Poe as Possible 2016 LP candidate

 

Right now, dumadaan din sa proseso ang partido. The President has also said na very soon, the party will decide on who the standard bearer will be.

 

I think it’s just right na kausapin ang iba’t ibang tao. Kailangan lang sigurong antabayanan kung ano ang magiging desisyon.

 

As party member, of course, we look at the different processes na kailangan. Very soon. Sooner than you think, lalabas na rin ang final decision of the party.  Ang hanap natin ay iyong best for the country. Ang mahalaga riyan, kung sino ang magpapatuloy ng reporma.

 

Sisiguraduhin na hindi tayo babalik sa napakaraming corruption in the past. We just really need to look at the options and all the alternatives.  Very soon, once this is decided, we can really start moving forward already.

First of all, I think Secretary Mar Roxas is still the presumptive candidate of the party. But palagay ko mahalaga rin na i-explore ang lahat ng possibilities, kasi kung tutuusin may proseso naman iyan, and even sa senatorial slate, all the positions I think, will have to go through the process also.

Ngayon, it’s time to really go and ask all of these people who want to run kung ano ba talaga ang mga plano nila. What do they really want for the country?

 

I think we’re too focused sa personalities. I think ang mahalaga, alamin natin kung ano ba talaga ang mga plano nila para sa ating sa bansa.

 

I don’t think that we’re asking that question. Ano ba ang gusto nilang gawin para sa bansa? Ano ba ang reporma na gusto nilang itulak? Palagay ko, iyon ang kailangang malaman, hindi lang ng partido, ‘di lang ng presidente kundi pati ng taumbayan.

 

We’re less than a year from the elections, people aren’t even asking kung ano ba ang plataporma ng mga presidentiables na ito. Palagay ko mahalaga na malaman natin kung ano ba ang gusto nilang gawin sa bayan at doon tayo magdesisyon.

 

Q: Bakit presumptive candidate si Roxas?

 

The process is still ongoing. So that’s why it’s still presumptive at wala pang final decision ang partido. Of course, he’s someone who I think has been talked about for a long time, obviously, he’s part of that very short list.

 

Q: Hindi pa ba sapat na itapat siya ng partido kay Binay?

 

Palagay ko, ang sagot sa tanong na iyan, mare-resolve iyan in a couple of weeks. The party is still undergoing this process at kapag nakapagdesisyon na talaga ang partido, malalaman natin kung sino ba talaga ang lalaban sa kung kanino.

 

At this point, it’s all speculation. I think ang taumbayan natin, need to start asking the question, ano ba ang repormang gusto nating maitulak, ano ba ang gusto nating baguhin at sino ba ang magpapatupad noon?

 

We’re not asking those questions enough. Sayang naman ang pagkakataon natin  na tanungin iyong mga tanong na iyon.

 

Kasi kung puro Binay ba, si Grace Poe ba o si Mar Roxas ba, tanungin natin kung ano ba ang madadala nila sa ating bayan. Ano ba ang kaya nilang gawin para sa Pilipino?

 

If we start having that discussion, mas magiging mayaman ang diskusyon natin.  Iyon ang palagay ko na mas mahalagang tanong.

 

On inclusion of NYC Commissioner to the NDRRMC

 

We’re hoping na mapasa natin ang RESCYouth Act as soon as possible. Marami na ring activities ang mga kabataan pagdating sa disaster preparedness.

 

Palagay ko naman, there will be little or no opposition to this bill so we’re hoping that we can have this passed soon.

 

Tamang tama na malapit na rin ang rainy season, so palagay ko if we can get this bill passed, we can already include the youth sa planning processes natin sa mga iba’t ibang councils.

 

Kung mapapansin mo ang bill na isinusulong natin, we are adding a representative of the youth in every council sa national and local levels.

 

Ang mga kabataan, very active na sila. Sila rin iyong no. 1 volunteer, sila ang unang-unang pumupunta kapag may rescue, unang-unang kasama sa rehabilitation. Nakita naman natin na kahit sa disaster preparedness, kasama rin sila.

 

Kaya it’s really time na ilagay rin ang mga kabataan sa ranggo ng nagpaplano ng disaster management.

 

All of the resource speakers, I think, supported the bill, even DILG, the local governments that were here, ang Climate Change Commission and of course, the National Youth Commission.

 

I’m hoping that we can pass this bill as soon as possible and magawa na natin iyong probisyon na ang mga kabataan ay mayroong espasyo sa mga council natin na may kinalaman sa disaster management.

 

Sa national will be the chairman of the NYC. On the local level, it will be chosen by the local government units.

 

Right now, ang mga different LGUs natin, katrabaho nila ang mga kabataan but usually as volunteers. We want to raise that participation, gawin nating kasama sa planning process.

Bam: Help DepEd Prepare for K-to-12 Challenges

Senator Bam Aquino urges different stakeholders to help the Department of Education (DepEd) prepare for the challenges ahead regarding the K-to-12 Program, instead of tearing down this crucial educational reform initiative.

“The challenges ahead are real but we still have time. Change is difficult. Reforms are difficult but they need to be done,” said Aquino during the Senate Committee on Education hearing on the implementation of the K-to-12 program.

“From where we are now and where we need to be next year, needs a lot of cooperation from many different sectors,” the senator stressed.

Sen. Bam suggested the creation of K to 12 Local Readiness Councils composed of teachers, parents and businesses to help address any gaps left for the K-to-12 Program.

“The DepEd can convert existing Brigada Eskwela structures in localities to be their main partners on the ground to support the K to 12 implementation,” suggested Sen. Bam, chairman of the Senate Committee on Youth.

During the hearing, Sen. Bam emphasized that concerned government agencies must be prepared for challenges ahead as they implement the program that is expected to modernize the country’s educational system.

“Now is the time to work together for our youth, not tear down reforms that we need to be globally competitive,” added Sen. Bam.

DepEd officials, led by Secretary Armin Luistro, expressed confidence that the department can fill up around 30,000 vacant teaching positions needed to effectively implement the program.

“We need to ensure that we can get teachers who are competent and have the right discipline to match the needs the schools have,” Sen. Bam said.

During its presentation, the DepEd said it is currently training 70,000-plus teachers for elementary and 80,000-plus teachers for high school as of 2015 to prepare them for the program.

“We’ve been doing the reforms for five years now.  Ngayon pa ba tayo bibitiw? Kailangan lahat ay kasama rito – ang pamahalaan, ang private schools, ang mga teachers’ groups, mga estudyante, pati business sector – dapat magkaisa sa pagpapatupad ng repormang ito,” the senator said.

 The DepEd also plans to conduct a massive information campaign, including the establishment of help desks in schools, to enlighten the public about the program.

“The Philippine education reform is not only the DepEd’s responsibility, it’s everyone’s responsibility,” added the senator.

Bam’s Response during the Fair Competition Forum (Excerpts)

Good afternoon everyone. I’m not going to go into detail of the bill. We have our experts here. I’d rather talk about political context of this bill.

One, I’m quite optimistic that if we get this passed, we’re hoping it can be one of the main SONA pronouncement come 2015. 

Hopefully some good news for this last SONA of the President.

If not, we still have another year to get it done. I am hoping though that we can get this done before the end of July.

Now, if you look at the bill itself, there are some groups who were trying to package the bill as anti-business. We’ve heard already some groups mobilizing, trying to paint this as anti-business.

If you look at my track record in the Senate, you’ll see that I’m the most pro-business of all of the senators, being the chairman of the Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship.

Where does the balance lie in trying to push for this bill, and at the same trying to promote our industries for the Philippines to really get to that level where we will be a middle income economy?

If you look at original versions of this bill, you’ll find one very sticky provision, which I wouldn’t have passed and that provision said that once you reach a certain market share, the government can step in and break you up.

In a lot of old competition policies in other parts of the world, there is that provision where government can make a determination based on your market share, that they can break you up.

That’s the first thing I said to them that I want to make sure it is not a part of this bill.

In fact, this version came from the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry.  In some ways, this version actually came from the business community itself. 

What does the bill basically penalize? It doesn’t penalize size. It doesn’t penalize status.  It penalizes abuse of dominant position and anti-competitive agreements.

We just want to be very clear about that. This is not a bill against being big. In fact, if you’re large and you’re huge and you got there because you’re fair and because you gave the best to the consumers, then the best of luck to you and we hope you grow even more.

But what it does outlaw is basically a dominant player using their position to block out the rest of the market. 

I think even the large dominant players would appreciate that because you may be large in one industry but the second or the third in another industry.

Definitely, a player who is big enough but is feeling that anti-competitive system would appreciate a bill like this.

Second, it also prohibits anti-competitive agreements. And we’re very clear to lay down what these anti-competitive agreements are. And again, going back to what most Prof. Joy’s lecture earlier was that term rule of reason.

We really push this so that we will have that leeway to be able to decide on what activities, what actions really lessen competition in the market, as opposed to coming out with prohibitions and start meting out penalties to different corporations and individuals.

That rule of reason is very important because admittedly, this is the first time we’re having a competition policy.

Most developed countries had theirs in the 1930s or after the World War II. Japan, for example, had a very bold competition law passed after World War II and that was a perfect time for them because they were basically in ruins so they had the opportunity to actually lay down the law for how they want to proceed.

Other countries in Europe, for example, had theirs in the 1920s.  We’re actually very late in the game.

If you look where we are as a country, we’re leaving the developing country status, entering a middle-income economy.

For me and for a lot of other people, this seems to be one of those seeming requirement to get to that next level where we can compete with the rest of the world, where countries will look at us and don’t look at us as a banana republic but as a country where rules are in place, where regulations are and where we use these regulations to move forward.

This law, probably, the most difficult one we’ve tackled, or at least our Office has tackled. The interpellations for this bill lasted three to four hours on many occasions.

In the Senate, most of the time, out of courtesy, people would just let you do your own thing.

I mean, if your advocacy, in my case, small and medium enterprise, we passed the Go Negosyo Law without much debate and all sides voted for it.

For this bill, we actually went through a lot of interpellations. Three to four hours at a time. Both minority and majority interpellating us.

In the end, I’d like to think that were able to come up with a version that sticks to the spirit of the bill and still allows for certain exemptions. Of course, all these exemptions are within the rule of reason.

I think that’s really why our consultants and experts eventually allowed these exemptions to come into this version the bill. At the end of the day, nothing is carved out for a particular sector.

Everything still has to go through a rule of reason through the commission. I think that’s really crucial and really important. Of course, Congress version will be different but I’m hoping that if when we get to the bicameral session, that we will be able to prevail upon colleagues in Congress and push for a bill which really has the parameter set but within a rule of reason.

We’ve experienced a lot of lobbying for this bill. In fact, practically every day there was a different set of individuals and lawyers at our office. People ask me about that a lot also, how was the lobbying? The lobbying was tremendous but the good thing is, 95 percent of what lobbyists are lobbying for are okay.

One, they did help us clarify the exemptions.

Two, they also raised the flag, and I guess what you might raise also, which is what if the competition commission is a corrupt commission. I think that’s basically the main concern for a lot of companies and even myself, still a large concern.

So the 95 percent that they were lobbying for were really safeguards and really ways to create these exemptions still within the rule of reason to make sure that legitimate companies will not be harassed by a corrupt competition commission.

In the same way, if you talk about a corrupt competition commission, it’s the same if it’s a corrupt executive department or a corrupt legislative department.

Those who want to squeeze money from the private sector, will find a way to do it, whether it’s a competition commission, a senator, a congressman or a national agency.

Creating this, I think, you will put the safeguards in and at the same time, be realistic about it, make sure that the people appointed to the competition commission should be people who can be trusted and won’t be selling their decisions left and right.

So I think that’s the caveat probably that I would like to put out there. I have experienced most of the concerns aren’t really on specific words in the provision although the legislators and the academics and the professors will worry about the commas, the terms where we lifted it from the EU, from the US.

I think one of the concerns is really what if a.) they appoint people who are corrupt and b.) or its within a framework where the president or the executive agencies are against business.

But that’s something that we need to face as a people and not just for this particular bill. That being said, we did put in a number of safeguards to make sure that no one will be, can be harassed and individuals who might be harassed will have enough legal basis to fight for these exemptions.

That being said, the best way forward is after this bill is passed, is to make enough noise about it and make sure that we appoint reputable, honorable and good people on the commission – unbiased, neutral and very independent people to the commission because they will outlive the president.

The president is out by next year, the commissioner is either five or seven years, depending on the version that we’re talking about. So we’re talking about five to seven years with the commission and we have to make sure that people appointed to these posts are all honorable and decent people and who know the policy to be able to make decisions properly.

The intention of the bill is not to fine corporations or to fine people. In fact the Congress version has a two-year reprieve on any penalty.

You may be wondering why? Of course people will say, they don’t want to decide on anything. But there is some wisdom to that. This is a new policy.

We are creating a totally new paradigm and the commission in those two years can start creating the awareness and start talking to different industries to try and manage their current setup to be able to convert to what more competitive and in tuned with the law.

We do two years where corporations do have that space to be able to fix themselves. As politicians, we do understand that it’s not easy that on day one, everybody has to change. There is that time set.

Hopefully in that two years, the corporations will listen to the commission. Again, we’re assuming that it is a reputable and honest commission. After two years, if there are still aberrations, then the fines and penalties will be imposed and court cases can be filed properly.

One thing that wasn’t mentioned is that majority of cases filed by the competition commission will be administrative in nature. It won’t be criminal in nature. The criminal part is left to abuse of dominant position and anti-competitive agreements done among competitors.

That one is blatantly illegal already. In any regime, whether the US, Japan or the EU. But if this done by a single entity in a market, largely its fines. And even the fines themselves have a wide range, could be x-million or could be one peso.

So again, the idea of having a commission there is really less about penalties and more about trying to police or trying to create a paradigm or regime where our corporations and our people interact with each other in a better way.

What’s my fearless forecast? My fearless forecast is we’ll be able to pass Congress by June 3. The session goes from May 3 to June 3.

Hopefully, we’ll be able to pass that in Congress by June 3. We’ll go over the bicam in July and hopefully have this signed before the SONA.

By the way, a competition policy is also a requirement for entering trade agreements with other countries.

The ASEAN integration, joining the PPP, having bilateral with different countries. It can hopefully open our markets even more.

E-Sports Interview with Bam

Q: May call na magkaroon ng parang autonomous body ang e-sports in the Philippines. Are you aware of that and how willing will you be to work with them?

 

Sen. Bam: I think it would be great na magkaroon ng association for e-sports. Earlier, we talked about possibly talking to the Philippine Sports Commission to see kung may mga paraan para ma-recognize officially sila ng gobyerno.

 

Private body would be even better and we are willing to support naman.

 

We’ve talked to the players. We’ve been supporting them for the last couple of trips nila. We’re hoping na di na maulit iyong pag-o-offload.

 

Sabi nga namin, lahat ng paperwork na kailangan, lahat ng permiso, siguraduhin na natin early on para wala na silang obstacles to get to their tournaments and training programs.

 

Q: Mas maganda mag-training sa Korea because they have better Internet. Have you also looked into that problem here na medyo sub-par ang Internet?

 

Sen. Bam: We have one of the worst Internet in the ASEAN. Actually, that’s one of our main advocacies, to improve the Internet infrastructure here in the Philippines.

 

So hopefully, if we’re able to improve [our Internet here in the country], we will develop our e-sports industry even more and we will be able to support more of our cyber athletes.

image

Q: Have other government employees and offices expressed interest in helping e-sports?

 

Sen. Bam: Feeling ko wala, to be frank. Nauna na kami dahil we’ve been dealing with the Game Developers Association of the Philippines (GDAP).

 

We’ve been helping them try to get more leads and bring more companies to the Philippines kasi naniniwala kami na there’s a lot of talent and a lot of competency in the Philippines.

 

Doon nagsimula iyon. We’ve been helping them bring in companies like Sony, Microsoft, Ubisoft. We’ve been talking to these guys to set up studios here. Hopefully, may good news iyan in a couple of months.

 

Through that effort, nakilala namin ang e-sports players. That’s when they came to us and asked for help kay Team Rave. We’ve been trying to help them with their paperwork and mga permits and regulations nila.

 

Unfortunately, di sila nakipag-coordinate for their last trip to Korea. But now, we’re helping them and hopefully, maayos na iyon.

 

In fact, we organized a meeting with them and the POEA para lahat ng paperwork nga nila maayos na. Sabi nga namin, we will do our best to make sure that they travel safely to Korea, eventually to the States and be able to compete there

 

We’re proud of this team dahil they’re No. 1 in Southeast Asia, they’re the underdogs, they beat huge teams from really huge countries.

 

Kita ninyo naman, hindi pa kasi kasinlakas ang e-sports sa ating bansa compared to those countries and they’re already able to place.

 

We’re hoping that with more support from Pinoys and from different institutions that they can really bring home the gold and take the largest prize money.

 

We’re quite proud of them and we hope na they have more continued success as they continue their journey.

Excerpt from Bam’s Mornings@ANC Interview

Question: Last topic of discussion will be the Mamasapano incident, Sir. You were already quoted that the President, your cousin, is ultimately responsible for the Mamasapano incident.

Sen. Bam: As early as February, he was already admitting this. He had a public address, in fact, iyong statement nga niya was, hanggang mamatay siya, dala-dala niya ito.

The next day, people kept on asking why isn’t the President taking responsibility. But he has already stated as much.

At this point, the reports come out already, I don’t think there was really anything new with regard to P-Noy, Purisima and Napenas because napag-usapan na naman ang nagawa nila at iyong accountabilities at responsibilities.

One thing I probably try to amend is regarding the Bangsamoro Basic Law. Because there were some lines in the report or some conclusions made regarding the BBL.

For example, nakalagay doon na masyadong optimistic iyong peace panel. Or nakalagay doon na one of the casualties ng Mamasapano ay ang Bangsamoro Basic Law.

Very categorical statements, concluding on the Bangsamoro Basic Law and I think it’s beyond the scope of the report.

To conclude on what happened in Mamasapano, that’s really the job of the committee. But the BBL was not presented, it was not talked about in length, it can raise questions.

It can raise doubts but to be categorical about it I think should be left to the committee handling the Bangsamoro Basic Law.

Question: So you weren’t very comfortable that the conclusion about the government peace panel?

Sen. Bam: Definitely because they weren’t given a chance to also explain. They can explain regarding the ceasefire that they tried to do.

The BBL is not just a ceasefire. It’s a whole other process.

I’m trying to get clarification now if that was a line that is categorical or if it’s one of those lines na, baka style lang iyon – it was just a matter of (writing) style.

We’re getting clarifications now and I probably will try to amend the report on those aspects.

Going back to ultimate responsibility.

Q: He’s responsible, you say, but is he liable? Apparently these are two different things.

Sen. Bam: I think Sen. Poe said it best that the responsibility is political in nature and not legal in nature. It’s really interesting that the President admits this already, and yet, the next day and the next following weeks.

Even just this weekend noong nasa Isabela ako, iyon pa rin ang tanong ng tao.  Oh, is the President accepting responsibility on this. I always say, sinabi na niya iyan.

He already said it and he submitted as much already. I think the effort to bring out the truth and be as transparent as possible is there. Nandiyan na iyan.

I think the three things that we really need to focus on, number one, iyong paghuli sa mga pumatay. I think that’s something that everybody wants to see and even the report said we should not let that go.

In fairness to Secretary de Lima, mukhang tinutuloy naman niya iyan. She will probably file charges quite soon, probably in April.

Second is to make sure that the families are taken cared of.  I think is something that the President has committed to and even the Senate, nakabantay kami kung talagang mapupunta sa kanila ang mga benepisyong dapat sa kanila.

And I think third, is really our true ultimate responsibility which is to make sure that this doesn’t happen again by pushing for peace in Mindanao.

Iyon ang totoong ultimate responsibility natin at the end of the day, to make sure more Filipinos don’t die anymore because of armed conflict.

Q:  Many people keep asking you sir, kung umamin na ba ang Presidente because it was never really, I guess, categorical, him admitting that I am responsible.

Sen. Bam: I’ll challenge that. I think it was categorical but I don’t think it wasn’t picked up enough. That’s really my assessment.

Q: So there’s nothing new?

Sen. Bam: Its nothing new. Magtataka ka. Sabi nga nila, if a lie is said often enough, it becomes truth. Baka if a question is asked often enough, it becomes an answer.

Kumbaga, tinatanong ng tinatanong kaya mukhang di sinagot pero sinagot naman.

Q: Para malinaw. He’s responsible pero he’s not liable for you?

Sen. Bam: No, I don’t think so. I think the report is quite clear that the responsibility is political in nature and not legal in that sense.

Q: But were you uncomfortable even signing that committee report, I mean of course, with reservations?

Sen. Bam: I put with reservations, in fact most of the senators put reservations and amendments.

There were some parts na I’m going to ask na isama, like si Sen. Trillanes wanted some parts na isama sa executive session.   Of course, sinabi na niya sa media ‘di ba but I will ask the committee first if they can include some other parts.

Q: What he said was he asked the committee kung puwede masama ang executive session and I think he won that through a vote. What he did, he spoke to the resource persons, got their permission and told us.

Sen. Bam: Anyway may proseso iyan.

Q: Do you think that it should be included?

Sen. Bam: I think a lot of senators want to put in more facts into the report, including myself, and don’t forget that in May, that will be finalized through a vote and before that, Senator Poe, will need to get the inputs of other senators.

So the report that we saw, might be different from the report that will finally come out because of the amendments.

Primarily, my concerns were really regarding the peace process kasi as you read it kasi, parang tapos, and again, this really pains me because at the end of the day, it’s really our true responsibility to make sure that the peace process continues now.

Q: Does that mean that you’re still supporting the BBL?

Sen. Bam: I’ll put in my amendments and hopefully the BBL, after amended, can actually resolve some of these issues now.

The BBL, as is, I don’t think has a chance of getting passed, as is.

A lot of amendments need to be put in, parts about the constitutionality needs to be corrected on that aspect.

Even before Mamasapano, marami nang may gustong mag-amend niyan. In fact, indigenous peoples came to my office and said senator paki-klaro naman sa BBL ang karapatan ng indigenous peoples, kasi hindi malinaw na kung pagkatapos gawin ang BBL, kung ang mga lupa namin in the area, kung ano ang treatment noon.

I committed to them. I said we will clarify that all of your rights under the IPRA will not be affected by the BBL.  So even before Mamasapano, may mga amendments na talaga iyan to really improve it.

That’s our job, to deliberate, debate and come up with the best version of the law.

Definitely, may mga issues na iyan. Because of Mamasapano, I think some issues need to be clarified with regard to security measures, with regards to the budget. It has to go through the process.

Ang mahalaga sa akin is that we don’t let go of the peace process. Some people have suggested mag-charter change na lang tayo para federalism. That’s Mayor Duterte’s suggestion actually.

Puwede ring pag-usapan iyon, puwedeng pag-usapan ang BBL, ang mahalaga we don’t just let it go.

We’re quite close already, admittedly maraming pagbabago kailangang mangyari, maraming reforms kailangang ipasok but I hope people won’t let go of that peace process because that’s our responsibility at the end of the day.

Q: Do you think it’s still possible for the BBL to be passed before the end of the term of the President?

Sen. Bam: I think it’s possible with significant amendments and significant changes but if it doesn’t pass. Si Speaker has already said to look for Plan B.

Nabasa ko iyon noong isang araw. Then what’s that Plan B, what’s plan C, what plan D and let’s make sure that one of those plans does come to pass.

Q: What could be a Plan B for you?

Sen. Bam: A charter change. Maybe not now, maybe the next president.

Q: You’re open to that?

Sen. Bam: That’s the plan B that they’re talking about.

Q: No, you. Is that something that you would be open to? Would you support something like that?

Sen. Bam: For the next president probably. In fact, hindi lang naman iyan tungkol sa Bangsamoro.

Economic provisions, sa Bangsamoro, a lot of term limits, a lot of these things need to be changed. For the next president na siguro iyon.

Q:  Do you support federalism?

Sen. Bam: Maybe categorically, hindi support, but maybe we can take a second look at it.

Q: So you’re open? Why?

Sen. Bam: The idea that your locality has enough power to determine what’s going to happen in a small area, I think mahalaga iyon.

Malinaw rin ang responsibilities ng local at kung ano ang responsibilities ng national. That’s something I think we can look at definitely.

I’m sure a few senators will be willing to look at that too. My point lang is, let’s just make sure we don’t let go of the peace process.

I hope we can continue reminding everyone that come May, June, July iyong usapin diyan about BBL and maybe other alternatives.

We just make sure that it does push through. Huwag tayong ningas kugon na papakawalan na lang natin. Sayang naman, we’re close to it already, we just make sure that we go the distance.

Q: Last question sir, should the President apologize for the Mamasapano incident?

Sen. Bam: I think  by saying he was responsible for it, categorically, saying he will bring this to his death, malaking bagay na iyon. That’s really up to him.

We don’t live in a vacuum. Right now a lot of the moves are really towards 2016 already.

You’re almost that it’s a trap. You’re almost sure na soon na mag-sorry siya, someone’s gonna say, bakit naka-smile, bakit di sincere ang mukha, o bakit ganoon ang tono ng boses niya.

I’m almost sure that those who are asking him to say sorry are already ready with their statement after he does.

The best way to move forward are the three things I mentioned.

Let’s ensure that peace happens, let’s take care of the families and iyong mga pumatay, let’s bring them to justice.

 

###

Transcript of Sen. Bam’s Interview in Davao

On Street Children and Juvenile Justice

Q: Sir, salamat po sa panahon. Would you like to share to us, Sir, kung anong ginawa ng Senado, or in your personal capacity, ano ho ang mga nagawa natin para sa mga streetchildren sa bansa?

Sen. Bam: Actually, tuluy-tuloy po ang pagtalakay sa isyu ng streetchildren sa Senado. In fact, iyong last hearing po tungkol diyan, iyong nabalita na noong pagdating ni Pope na may mga nilipon na mga street children tsaka street families.

We had a hearing about that noong nakaraang buwan.

Sa totoo rin lang po, ang isyu po ng street children po natin, nandiyan po iyan sa Committee on children. Hindi po ako ang chairman niyan, tayo po ang chairman ng Committee on Youth.

Kami naman po, we also tackle iyong mga gangsterism, napag-uusapan natin na kung hindi maalagaan ang street children natin, baka umabot sila sa mga gangs.

Tingin ko naman po, at the end of the day, babalik at babalik pa rin po tayo sa economic reasons kung bakit po may street children.

Kung mayroon pong magandang trabaho o negosyo ang kanilang mga magulang, they’ll be less likely to be street children, magkakaroon po sila ng pagkakataon para makapag-eskuwela.

That’s really where they should be.  Kung saan po talaga dapat iyong mga kabataan natin. Hindi ho dapat talaga nasa kalsada. Dapat po nasa eskuwelahan.

Kung mayroon pong mga programa para makakuha ng trabaho ang kanilang mga magulang, magandang negosyo.
In fact, iyong 4Ps program natin, iyong DSWD program, tinatawag po iyang conditional cash transfer, iyong kondisyon po riyan, ang mga anak po ninyo wala dapat sa kalsada, dapat nasa eskuwelahan.

May mga programa naman po tayo, but I guess, pagdating sa implementasyon, kailangan talagang ma-fast track natin na mas maraming trabaho at negosyo iyong ating mga pamilyang Pilipino para less po ang pagkakaroon ng street children sa ating mga lungsod.

Q: Iyon pong mga revision sa juvenile justice law, lalong lalo na sa age, what do you say?

Sen. Bam: Ako, I’m not in favor of that. Alam ko naging mainit na usapin iyan dito. Ngayon po kasi nasa 15 years old iyong age of discernment.

May mga grupong nagbabalak na gawin iyong 12 years old. Pero parang mabigat naman po yata masyado na 12 years old pa lang, bibigyan mo na ng penalties ang isang bata na kaparehas ng penalties ng isang adult.

I think kailangan ho nating ma-implement nang maayos  iyong ating juvenile justice law.

Nakalagay po roon na dapat may mga sentro, mga rehabilitation center para sa mga kabataan natin. Masasabi naman natin na hindi pa gaanong ka-implemented iyon.

Iyong paghihiwalay sa mga bata sa matatanda kapag hinuhuli, hindi naman ito nai-implement sa ibang lugar. Kailangan pong ma-implement iyon nang maayos.

Anyway po, iyong 12 years old to 15 years old, puwedeng tingnan talaga ang krimen ang ginawa. Pero just to bring it down to 12, palagay ko kailangan munang ma-implement ang batas na iyon.

On BBL

Q: May I segue sa hottest na tanong ngayon. Ano ho ang peg ng mga senador natin sa Bangsamoro Basic Law vis a vis sa Board of Inquiry. Mayroon na po ba kayong kopya ng resolusyon?

Sen. Bam: Wala pa po. Tuluy-tuloy pa po ang mga imbestigasyon. Sa amin po sa Senado, natapos na po ang hearing. I think the committee report of the committee on public order, lalabas na po iyon in the next couple of weeks.

Marami pong nag-aabang ngayon doon. Doon sa committee report na iyon, talagang mapagdu-dugtong dugtong iyong mga kuwento at masasabi ho natin kung sino ba ang accountable at ano pa po ang kailangang next steps para makakuha tayo ng hustisya para sa ating kapulisan.

Pagdating naman po sa BBL, tuluy-tuloy naman po iyong pag-uusap tungkol diyan. I think iyong isang misconception ng maraming mga kapwa Pilipino po natin, na all or nothing itong batas na ito.

Kumbaga po, either 100 percent o zero percent. But the truth is, ang proseso po ng pagtalakay nito ay dadaan talaga sa tamang proseso.

So magkakaroon pa po iyan ng amendments, magkakaroon ng mga  pagbabago, papalakasin, lilinawin, ang ibang kataga at salita diyan.

Even the Senate President po natin, sinabi rin niya na kailangang maayos ang constitutionality issues.

Kung mayroong mga bagay-bagay na hindi tumutugma sa ating Constitution, kailangan talaga munang ayusin bago lumabas.

So, I predict ho na mahaba-haba pa po ang prosesong iyan. Kailangan talagang talakayin. In fact, bago pa po nangyari ang trahedya sa Mamasapano, marami na pong IP groups ang lumapit sa amin.

Alam ninyo, adopted po ako ten tribes ng Davao City. Kaya malapit na malapit po ang IPs sa akin. Sabi nila, Senator Bam, siguraduhin mo naman sa BBL, hindi mapeperhuwisyo ang ating indigenous people.

Marami naman po talagang mga pagdadaanan pa. Ang mahalaga po ngayon, kung ang taumbayan nga nakatutok po dito, huwag lang po sanang all or nothing.

Tingnan po muna natin kung ano sa mga probisyon ang dapat ituloy, dapat baguhin, dapat palakasin o di kaya’y dapat tanggalin.

I think that process, kung lahat po ng taumbayan nakatingin po, posible pong mas magandang batas ang ilalabas ng Senado at Kongreso.

Q: I hope the MILF also acknowledges the need na siyempre may mga amendments din naman.

Sen. Bam: I think, at the end of the day, kung dadaan ka sa proseso ng Senado at Kongreso, wala namang lumalabas diyan na as is. Kaya nga kami nandito, kung as is yan, nagka-Senado at Kongreso ka pa.

Kailangan talagang dumaan iyan sa proseso and ngayon nga pong mainit ang usapin, maganda pong mag-voice out ang mga kababayan po natin tungkol dito.

Iyong mommy ko po taga-Davao so iyong Mindanao bloc po ng mga senador, nandiyan po si Senator Pimentel na Cagayan de Oro, si Sen. Guingona ng Bukidnon and I consider myself as part of Davao.

Sabi ko, siyempre dapat taga-Mindanao din ang nagli-lead dito, sa usaping ito. Hindi naman maganda na ang BBL, na ang apektado ay taga-Mindanao, ay mga taga-Metro Manila iyong nag-uusap.

I think, the voice of Mindanao should really come out, hindi lang sa Muslim areas natin kundi sa buong Mindanao talaga. The voice should come out para mas maayos na batas ang BBL.

Q: Would you like to react on those who call for the President to say I’m sorry and even to the extent of resigning.

Sen. Bam: Unang una po, I think within a few days, sinabi naman po ni Presidente Aquino na he is responsible for everything. Sinabi na ho niya iyan. Ako ang responsable dito, ako ang commander in chief.

Baka nakalimutan lang ho nakalimutan lang ng mga taong nagtatawag na he takes accountability na nasabi na ho niya iyan. Sabi nga ho nila, action speaks louder than words.

Makikita naman po natin iyong dami ng oras na talagang binigay niya doon sa ating SAF, doon sa pamilya ng ating fallen policemen. Tingin ko naman po, the sincerity is there.

Doon naman po sa pagtawag ng pag-resign o ouster o coup d’etat, palagay ko naman po hindi iyan ang solusyon para makakuha ng hustisya sa ating kapulisan. Hindi po iyon ang solusyon para makakuha ng kapayapaan.

To be very frank rin, if we’re looking at our country, iyong takbo po ng ekonomiya, ito pong Davao City, booming na booming po talaga, napakaganda po ng takbo. Hindi po talaga makakabuti ang ganoong klaseng instability.

I think ang mahalaga po diyan, iyong ating institutions, kung mature na po tayo na demokrasya, kailagang ipakita na ang institusyon natin, may kakayahang magdulot ng hustisya para sa ating kapulisan.

They should be able to provide the justice, and at the end of the day, iyong iba’t ibang institusyon, nandiyan naman po ang Senado, Kongreso, BOI po ng PNP, tuluy-tuloy naman po iyong aming pagtatrabaho.

We will ensure that there is justice for the SAF 44 and at the same time, magkaroon po tayo ng lasting peace. Hindi po ang pag-resign ng presidente ang solusyon diyan.

On Duterte 2016

Q: You see Mayor Duterte in the horizon in 2016 perhaps. Anong tsansa na may isang Mindanaoan na sasali naman?

Sen. Bam: Alam ninyo, ako pangarap ko talaga na lahat ng tumatakbo para pagka-presidente, lahat ho magagaling. At iyong taumbayan, pipili na lang sila kung ano ang gusto nila.

Usually ho ang eleksyon sa Pilipinas, sino ba dito ang magnanakaw, sino iyong ang hindi magnanakaw.

It talks of mature democracy kung iyong mga tumatakbo iba iba talaga ang maibibigay nila sa ating bayan.

I think si Mayor po, pag andito naman ako sa Davao, lagi naman po kaming nagkikita rin. Iyong mommy ko po, naging teacher iyong nanay niya. Iyong lolo’t lola ko, naging teacher din niya.

If he throws his hat into the ring, I think it will be a welcome addition. At least iyong taumbayan po natin, magkakaroon ng options, magkakaroon ng pagpipilian na magagaling.

Of course, sasabihin ko lang po na kasama po ako sa partido but kung tatakbo po siya, it would be very welcome sa ating bansa.

Q: Any parting word po para sa mga taga-Davao, who’s watching the Senate in action?

Sen. Bam: Kadalasan po, kung babasahin po natin iyong diyaryo, feeling ho natin na ang trabaho ng Senado, puro lang imbestigasyon.

But actually marami naman po kaming tinatalakay. Last year, napasa po natin ang Go Negosyo Act, iyong isang batas na tutulong sa ating maliliit na entrepreneur.

Sabi nga natin kanina, iyong mga street children, kung may mga trabaho at negosyo ang kanilang pamilya, walang street children tayo. So may focus pa rin po tayo pagdating sa economic benefits ng ating bayan.

Napasa rin po naming ang Philippine Lemon Law, ang batas na nagpoprotekta sa mga bumibili ng kotse.

This year, may mga napasa na rin tayo on third reading. Hinihintay na lang po natin ang Congress version.

Iyong Youth Entrepreneurship Bill na magbibigay ng tulong sa mga kabataan na makapag-negosyo, malapit na pong maging batas, pagdasal po natin.

Iyong Competition Bill, iyon ho, anti-monopoly, anti-trust bill. Seventy years in the making na po iyan, napasa po natin iyan sa Senado.

Iyong batas po na magbubukas ng ports natin sa foreign ships, napasa po namin iyan sa Senado.

If that becomes law at magkaroon po ng Congress version, iyong ating Davao port dito, puwede nang puntahan ng foreign ships. Mas magmumura ang ating importing at exporting. Posible pong magmura ang presyo ng ating mga bilihin.

These are important laws, aside from the investigations, lahat po iyan ginagawa po naming para sa taumbayan.

Q: One follow up sir, SK reform?

Sen. Bam: Yes, napasa rin po natin iyan. Alam ninyo po, dahil nga po sa trahedya sa Mamasapano, hindi na po napag-uusapan ang ginagawa ng Senate.

We passed on third reading napasa na po sa Senado, hinihintay na lang po naming ang Congress version.

Iyong SK Reform Bill, tinataas po iyong edad from 15 to 17 to 18 to 24. Naglagay po kami ng anti-dynasty provision sa SK, hindi na po puwede na anak ng barangay captain or anak ng councilor o mayor.

Mandatory training tsaka ang tinatawag nating Local Youth Development Council na tutulong sa SK para magawa ang kanyang trabaho.  Iyon po, composed ng youth leaders mula sa eskuwelahan, simbahan at iba’t ibang community organizations.

Kung maging batas po ito, next time  na magkaroon tayo ng SK, which is 2016, mas magiging epektibo po sila at mas mapoprotektahan sila sa traditional politics.

Transcript: Excerpts from Sen. Bam’s interview with PRIB media

Q: Iyon pong sinasabing nag-o-organize sila ngayon ng People Power?

Sen. Bam:  Of course, karapatan ng bawat Pilipino iyan. Iyan naman ang ipinaglaban natin noong 1986 na magkaroon ng demokrasya ang taumbayan. Lahat naman tayo libre na sabihin ang nasa loob ng ating puso.

In fact, most Filipinos do that now online. So kung iyan talaga ang pakay na magkaroon ng isang rally para i-voice out ang kanilang nasa saloobin, and that’s their right.

At the end of the day, we’re hoping na hindi na tayo magka-coup kasi ang isang coup, that would set us back by so many years. Ang arangkada ngayon  ng ating ekonomiya, sayang naman kung magkaka-kudeta tayo. Mas makakagulo pa.

I think right now, and ito rin iyong nasa isip ko habang nag-hi-hearing kami sa Senado, hanapin natin ang hustisya para sa ating kapatid na kapulisan. Let’s look for justice. Ilabas ang katotohanan, siguraduhin natin ang mga pamilya nila na naaalagaan and of course, iyong mga perpetrators and combatants, hulihin.

At the end of the day, iyon pa rin iyong nasabi ni Gen. Espina, iyong ang nasabi ni Gen. Napenas, na hinahanap nilang hustisya para sa namatay na kapulisan. I think, in the Senate, we’re doing our best to be able to achieve those objectives.

Q: Kailangan pa ba ng dagdag na hearing?

Sen. Bam: That’s up to the chairperson. But I think yung hearings nakakatulong sa taumbayan. Noong unang lumabas ang isyung ito, marami talagang misinformation na lumalabas. Marami ring na-publish at marami ring napag-usapan sa media na after the hearings nalaman nating hindi totoo.

I think the hearings are very helpful in terms of bringing out the truth. Saka ang taumbayan natin nakikita nila kung ano talaga ang nangyari.

Makikita mo naman sa hearing, unfiltered iyan. Kung ano ang nasa isip at nasa puso ng resource speakers, whether from the AFP, from the PNP at mula sa iba’t ibang sangay ng gobyerno, malaya naman silang magsalita at ilabas ang kanilang iniisip.

Q: Sir ano sa tingin niyo ang mga questions na left unanswered?

Sen. Bam: We are undergoing our executive sessions right now. We’re hoping that after the executive session, all of these questions will be answered. We did agree na maglalabas ng statement ang chairperson after all executive sessions are finished at hindi pa tapos.

Q: Bakit ipinatigil sa House ang hearing? Was it intended to save the President from further embarrassment?

 Sen. Bam: To be honest, wala akong impormasyon regarding why the House finished that. That’s their business. Dito naman sa atin, wala pa naman kaming pinag-uusapan na tatapusin basta basta. In fact, we’re in the middle of our hearings right now. Kaya lang at this point, executive session tayo.

Q: Without discussing the specifics of the executive sessions, bakit umabot ng apat na oras si Napenas?

 Sen. Bam: Of course, may mga tanong at marami rin kaming nagtatanong. So I’ll leave it at that.

Q: Even after three hearings, ganun pa rin karami ang tanong?

 Sen. Bam: I don’t really want to discuss kung ano ang nasa loob ng executive session but let’s leave it at that. Maraming tanong, maraming nagtanong. Unlike in the open hearing, doon naman malaya kaming magtanong at magkaroon ng follow-up questions din.

Q: May mga sagot ba sa executive session na puwedeng ibulgar sa public?

 Sen. Bam: Wala pa pero after we finished, pagkatapos ng pangatlong executive session natin today. Kung tapos na talaga ang executive session, the committee will come out with a report kung ano ang mga puwedeng ilabas sa publiko.

Q: After Napenas kahapon sir, all questions nasagot na niya?

 Sen. Bam: All questions para sa kanya.

Q: Kung di puwedeng i-discuss sa iba, kayo-kayo lang nakakaalam na mga senators?

 Sen. Bam: Don’t forget na iyong pinaka-output nito is committee report na magbibigay ng recommendations. At iyong recommendations will go the appropriate agencies, whether ito iyong investigating body o sa korte.

Q: Kailangan na bang magsalita si P-Noy sa kanyang role sa Mamasapano?

 Sen. Bam: Ang pinagtatakhan ko nga, noong last public address niya, inako na niya ang responsibilidad. Sinabi na niya I’m responsible for this, I’m the commander in chief at nasabi na rin niya na iyong output nito, which of course, ang pagkamatay ng mga kasama sa kapulisan, dadalhin na niya iyan hanggang sa mamatay siya.

Everytime na may nagsasabi na hindi niya inaako ang responsibilidad, nagtataka ako dahil doon sa statement niya, inako niya iyong responsibilidad. I’m not sure what else he needs to say. He said it’s his responsibility. He owned up to it already.

Responsibility, accountability. Hindi ko alam kung ano pa ang hinahanap ng mga bumabatikos sa kanya. Inako na niya iyon. Now with regard to legalities or liabilities, that what agencies are for. Kung ano iyong iniimbestigahan nila. But with regard to taking accountability and responsibility, palagay ko he already admitted that. Nasabi na niya iyon sa kanyang public address and that was just few days ago.

Q: Kung kayo, kailangan pa ba ng isang hearing?

 Sen. Bam: I think ang taumbayan natin, may mga impormasyon na kailangan silang marinig mula sa resource speakers, at hindi mula sa amin. Palagay ko, magkakaroon pa kami ng isa pang public hearing but it’s really up to the chairman to decide.

Q: Sir iyong sa BBL, ano po ang gusto niyong amyendahan?

 Sen. Bam: Even before the Mamasapano incident, marami sa aming mga senador, gustong maglagay ng amendments para mas mapaganda iyong batas o mas maging mayaman iyong batas natin.

For example, may mga indigenous peoples group na lumapit sa atin noon, hindi lang sa akin kundi sa marami pang senador, na nagre-request na maglagay ng probisyon safeguarding the rights of indigeous peoples in the Bangsamoro autonomous areas. Balak ko talagang ipasok iyon.

Hopefully, dito sa nangyari sa Mamasapano, I would expect na pag natuloy na ang BBL hearings natin, I’m sure marami sa mga kasama ko, magsa-suggest ng ways to improve or ways to safeguard the Bangsamoro Basic Law in the future.

Q: Iyong executive session, may mga naging part na posibleng makaimpluwensiya sa madali o mas matagal ng suliraning ito?

 Sen. Bam: Hindi lang sa executive session kundi sa buong nangyari. Itong nangyari, kailangang maresolba muna, ano ang nangyari talaga, ano ang katotohanan, sino iyong mga kailangang managot sa nangyaring ito and they have to be brought to justice.

Mahirap i-tackle iyong BBL kung iyong mga bagay na iyan, left hanging pa rin. Hindi pa rin naso-solve.

Because of what happened sa Mamasapano, malaki talaga ang epekto niyan sa BBL. I’m hoping iyong concerns ng taumbayan, iyong concerns ng maraming cause-oriented groups, masagot talaga.

We still need to push for peace pero kung kinakailangang baguhin, i-amend o tingnan ulit ang BBL, kailangan siguro talagang gawing iyon.

Matagal ko na ring panawagan iyon. Iyong mga taong pumatay, iyong mga taong gumawa ng heinous act, gumawa ng summary execution, kailangang madala sila sa hustisya, kailangang dumaan sa tamang proseso.

From there, we go to the BBL na meron na tayong mga puwedeng i-enhance sa BBL o mayroon tayong puwedeng baguhin doon na mas magiging malakas pa iyong batas na iyan at mase-safeguard pa ang pangamba ng maraming tao tungkol diyan.

Q: What happened to the Truth Commission?

 Sen. Bam: The House did not go for it. So di siya matutuloy. At the end of the day, I think we’re able to bring out the truth in our Senate hearings.

It should have been a law. Batas kasi ang bubuo noon. Ang counterparts namin sa Kongreso, hindi na ito itutuloy. They basically said, idaan na lang sa hearing.

The Speaker had suggested just a joint committee hearing instead. But then, hindi rin natuloy iyon, naging separate congressional hearings na lang.

At least, iyong assessment ko, iyong Senate hearings naman natin, nakakapaglabas naman ng katotohan. I’m personally satisfied with the openness of the hearings. Iyong mga tanong diretsahan. Iyong mga sumasagot, nakakasagot naman.

Q: May lumalabas na isyu na tumulong ang US sa planning, strategy and extrication ng sundalo. Hindi ba kailangang i-subject sa investigation ng Senate iyon?

 Sen. Bam: Noong tinanong iyan kay Gen. Napenas, he requested na pag-usapan nila iyan sa executive session. By later today, the committee may have some statement.

Q: Nire-require pa po ba ang MILF leadership sa executive session?

 Sen. Bam: That’s really up to the committee to invite them or not. Ang alam kong naka-schedule today are two other generals.

Q: Ano ang masasabi niyo sa mga pulis na pumasok sa mga pulis na pumasok para hulihin si Marwan?

 Sen. Bam: Matapang talaga sila and they accomplished their mission. I think, iyon ang isang bagay ang nakakalimutan ng maraming tao. Namatay sila doing their service, namatay sila making this world a better place. Nakakalimutan ng maraming tao.

Alam ko other senators felt failure ang nangyari but ako pero personally I commend them. In fact I have a resolution commending hindi lang ang namatay kundi pati na rin iyong mga nabuhay.

Kasi they accomplished their mission. Talagang they risked their lives for the country.

Alam niyo si Marwan, siya ang responsible sa Bali bombings. He is also responsible for hundreds of deaths dito mismo sa Pilipinas. They accomplished their mission. They did a good job.

As we know, iyong nangyari very unfortunate, talagang tragic. May mga namatay at iyong mga taong responsable diyan on both sides kailangang managot.

Q: Isa-suggest niyo ba sa komite na mag-ocular sa pinangyarihan?

 Sen. Bam: Hindi pa po napapag-usapan ang suggestion na iyan. Right now, wala pa namang nagsa-suggest but if the chairperson feels na ang susunod doon, I will go with them. Pero sa ngayon hindi pa napag-uusapan iyan.

Q: At this point, may nakikita kayong grounds o grievances para i-demand ang ouster ng Pangulo?

 Sen. Bam: No. I mean, think about it. Ouster, napakabigat noon. Ouster, that’s an extra-constitutional act. Napakabigat niyan. Kailangan tayong magtiwala na may proseso naman tayong puwedeng mag-resolve ng issues na ito.

I understand, emotions are very high pero at the end of the day, ang hinahanap pa rin natin ay iyong magiging maganda sa ating bansa. I think an ouster, which means a coup, will bring us back so many years.

Siyempre iyong democracy tayo, kung ano ang gustong sabihin ng isang tao, nasa kanya iyon. I may not agree with you pero ipaglalaban ko ang karapatan mo na sabihin ang nasa loob mo. That’s the democracy that we fought for.

Q: So di made-destabilize ang administration?

 Sen. Bam: For destab kasi, kailangan mo ng kapulisan, kailangan mo ng army, kailangan mo ng mass-based support. I’m hoping we can resolve all of our issues through the proper government processes and through proper judicial processes, hindi na kailangan ng extra-constitutional means.

Scroll to top